House Passes Short-Term Spending Bill, Setting Up Shutdown Battle in Senate

The House approved a stopgap spending bill on Thursday to keep the government open through Feb. 16, but Democrats in the Senate are expected to block the measure in that chamber. The bill would provide funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, and delay or suspend certain taxes imposed by the Affordable Care Act. President Donald Trump suggested that CHIP funding should not be part of the stopgap bill, writing on Twitter, "CHIP should be part of a long term solution, not a 30 Day, or short term, extension!" Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made clear that she was unmoved by the inclusion of CHIP funding in the stopgap bill. Virginia's two Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, announced they would oppose the temporary spending bill in the Senate, reports the New York Times .